Israeli Ministry of Interior Violates Privacy

JERUSALEM, January 21, 2013 (WAFA) – A Palestinian rights center Monday accused the Israeli Ministry of Interior of violating the privacy of Palestinian applicants for family reunification.

A statement by the Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center said in two cases it was following for Palestinian spouses applying for family reunification, the interior ministry has asked them for details about conversations and telephone calls between them.

It said the ministry has asked the couple, in addition to providing it with many other documents regarding the person applying for family reunification to their spouse, telephone conversations and emails exchanges between them.

“This is an illegal procedure and the questions asked by the Ministry of Interior are an invasion of personal privacy and the right of the individual to keep this private information to themselves,” said the statement.

The center called on people applying for family reunification not to agree to these terms.